Tough new strike laws could be fast-tracked on the back of a wave of rail strikes hitting London and the south and warnings of more anti-austerity action to come, it has emerged.
Ministers are fast-tracking the Trades Union Bill, with a government source telling the Daily Mail the legislation is set to be published before Parliament rises for the summer on July 21.
‘This will be brought forward in the next few days,’ the source said. ‘The strikes this week have demonstrated again exactly why we need tougher legislation in this area. Our proposals on trade unions would have made a significant difference to the strikes this week.
Under planned reforms to strike laws in the Trade Unions Bill, the Government will ban strike action unless there is at least a 50% turnout in union ballots, while in the key areas of transport, health, education and fire, strikes also require the support of at least 40% of all those entitled to vote.
Commenting on the plans when they were first unveiled in the Queen's speech, Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey said: 'Unite has said repeatedly that the way to increase turnouts in strike ballots is not to make it harder for people to exercise fundamental rights, but to modernise voting. This can be easily achieved through consensus and discussion, and without the division and fear that the government’s approach prefers.
'We urge this government to think again. People will not be fooled by claims to be the party of working people, if freedoms and democracy are swept away in a tide of repressive laws and showy PR.'
